Kalpitiya

14 stunning islands, beautiful golden unspoiled beaches, whale & dolphin watching, are few amongst many things that one can indulge into while in Kalpitiya. Kalpitiya peninsula, Kalpitiya island, and Kalpitiya beache, all of these are most visited destinations in Sri Lanka. Three-hour drive from Colombo will bring you to stunning Kalpitiya beach which is popular for its scenic beauty. The place is perfect for both leisure seekers and backpackers as accommodation here ranges from backpacker’s hostels to pretty decent hotels. The beaches here are yet not destroyed by tourism and hence remain fairly untouched surrounded by natural beauty. The diversity of habitats in Kalpitiya ranges from flat coastal plains, to bar reefs and from saltpans to mangrove swamps and salt marshes.

Alankuda Beach is the first beach in Kalpitiya which was developed under governments mega tourist budget and since then regular boat rides are available for dolphin and whale watching. Large pods of Spinner Dolphins live in the waters near Kalpitiya and there are boat tours that take tourist to witness these creatures in their natural habitat. Not just this, but if one is lucky enough they can also spot the giant and magnificent sperm whale. Months between December and mid-April mark as the best time to spot sperm whales and dolphins. Another tourist attraction for visitors who are keen scuba divers and snorkelers, is Bar Reef, the largest coral reef in Sri Lanka. Just an hour boat ride from Kalpitiya takes you to the spot blessed with the rich biodiversity. Take a dive in and witness different varieties of tropical fishes, beautiful reefs and you might even spot sea turtles and manta rays. Watch colourful hues of the evening sunset at the Kalpitiya coastline. One can opt for the boat ride up to the lagoon and canoe ride down the river to have once in a lifetime experience. For all the adventure seekers there are 4WD jeep rides that take you along the deserted sand dunes between the ocean and the lagoon and offer an extraordinary way of witnessing the beautiful sunset. With so much to do, this peninsula makes one the best places to visit in Sri Lanka.